Consumer Kashrut Alerts

On May 20, 2019 Brodt Zenatti Holdings, LLC of Jupiter, Florida expanded their recall to include SoCo brand tahini sold in 135-ounce containers. This product is being recalled in addition to retail and bulk Karawan brand tahini sold in 16-ounce jars and 39-pound buckets.
On May 17, 2019 Brodt Zenatti Holdings, LLC of Jupiter, Florida expanded their initial recall to include all tahini products, including those imported prior to December 2018 and until the final shipment in April 2019.

Recommendation
The tahini of concern may be labelled as either “Karawan Tahini,” “El-Karawan Tahini,” or “Soco Tahini.” Consumers should avoid eating this tahini. This tahini was sold in bulk to retailers and restaurants and was also available to consumers at retail locations and online. It may have also been used in other food products sold to consumers. Consumers should be aware that this product has a shelf life of two years and should check their homes for tahini with either label. Consumers with this tahini in their home should not eat it and should discard it. Consumers with concerns about tahini consumed outside the home should ask their restaurant or retailer if the product they have purchased contains this tahini. Retailers and restaurants should throw the recalled product out and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with this tahini.

FDA’s Web Post

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Concord Linked to Tahini: The FDA advises consumers not to eat Karawan or El-Karawan labeled tahini or halva

The United States Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord illnesses linked to "Karawan Tahini and Halva" brand tahini imported from Israel.

The label of the product that tested positive for Salmonella identified Brodt Zenatti Holdings, LLC, of Jupiter, Fla., as the importer of that specific tahini, however, other importers may have also imported “Karawan Tahini and Halva” branded tahini. The investigation is ongoing, but at this time the current outbreak does not appear to be related to the previous 2018-2019 outbreak of Salmonella Concord linked to tahini

The tahini of concern may be labelled as either “Karawan Tahini” or as “El Karawan Tahini.” Consumers should avoid eating this tahini. This tahini was sold in bulk to retailers and restaurants and was also available to consumers at retail locations and online. It may have also been used in other food products sold to consumers. Consumers should be aware that this product has a shelf life of two years and should check their homes for tahini with either label. Consumers with this tahini in their home should not eat it and should discard it. Consumers with concerns about tahini consumed outside the home should ask their restaurant or retailer if the product they have purchased contains this tahini. Retailers and restaurants should throw the product out and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with this tahini.